ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWill a lawyer make this go faster?
We decided to use a qualified attorney because we believe it will help the process go faster. No, not because he has an inside phone number or special processing queue. But a good experienced attorney can help you prevent unnecessary delays. This process is very unforgiving and small mistakes can cost you weeks, months or worse. Like all other paid professionals, there are good and bad in the field. You should choose carefully. Even with an attorney, you can still have problems.

Many people file successfully on their own without the help of paid professionals. This site is wonderful, and chock full of good information. It is a great tool and I am very grateful for it. But most of us are going through this process for the very first time and as individuals have no experience outside of our own cases.

If money is an issue, you can probably gain enough knowledge to pull this off without paying a professional. It seems most people using this site do just that. In our case, we felt the attorney was very affordable for the most important decision of our lives.

Good luck on your journey!!!!
kengumboMaleCosta Rica2007-05-14 15:38:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresEntering the country married with a K-1 visa

Ann and I are going to have a small party for family and friends in the Philippines before we come to the USA.

Then we plan to have a simple civil wedding in the USA to satisfy the "legal" requirements of our Visa.

When we have finished enough of the process where Ann and I can return to the Philippines for a vacation, we are planning on have a wedding ceremony in the Philippines to share with her family and friends.

We'd rather not tempt fate, and even have a "fake" wedding in the Phlippines first, when we can go this direction, and legally satisfy everyone, and still have a more formal wedding for family later. (Besides it's a good excuse to go back for a couple weeks.)


I think an 'engagement party' is a great idea!
Bobbie
BobbieFemaleGermany2007-04-09 23:06:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresThank you to the moderators (Ewok?)
I have just spent a bunch of time looking for information on ILW.com. The people on there are so mean and hateful. I am so glad the people on here have a bit of #######, but I havent seen anyone be just down right evil. That place really is full of meanmongers.
Thank you to whomever keeps them off of here. This feels like a safe place, that feels like the dangerous part of town.
Bobbie
BobbieFemaleGermany2007-04-11 00:24:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresone less petition in front of yours

:thumbs: Congrats :thumbs:


Congratulations! Enjoy this time.
BobbieFemaleGermany2007-04-13 23:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresFormer K1 fiancées that didn’t marry my groom and left US.

Thanks 4 your answers!
I talked to him and figured that he has filed the particular K1 for one fiance, the second one was just someone who got to US with a J1 visa (work) that he didn't file, someone else. After he married her, he filed for green card for her, but she didn't get it and flew home. Does it count? Should I mention the second one in that paragraph? As I understood earlier from Gwen666, it makes a big difference whether he filed for 1, or 2 K1's.
Thanks in advance!



Make sure he filed that divorce paper too!!
BobbieFemaleGermany2007-04-16 21:07:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI'm a Canadian Citizen and he's a U.S. Citizen currently in Prison
Wouldnt the boyfriend fallunder IMBRA? Won't he need to file a waiver to marry?
~trying to learn
Bobbie
BobbieFemaleGermany2007-04-17 22:46:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAre we too poor to be in love?

I'm a broke college student, I go to CC and live in my parents basement. I'm 20 years old 8-9k in debt and still going to school. I work one to two days a week because I can't work more with all the classes I have to take to maintain health insurance on my parent's bill. I met my Fiance in High School, and we dated for 3 years and during that time I managed to save up enough money to go visit her last summer, in Georgia (the country). I asked her to marry me in January of '07. I can barely afford car insurance each month to get to and from school, let alone gas, I'd be kaput if it weren't for my parents. She's living in Tbilisi, also under a roof her parents own, she'd have to sell it just to be able to afford the plane ticket here. We need to get together as soon as possible, and another 6-9 months minimum might be a death sentance to us. I'm just starting now because I had no idea how long it took and ~sighs~ I'm feeling pretty hopeless. Could someone who knows something tell me about these things direct me on where to start, tell me about someone who's had it harder to make me feel better, or just put us out of our misery and tell me to simply go there and give up hope on a safe place to raise our children and a chance to achieve our professional and personal goals?




love should not have barriers if u love your partner u should have a cosponsor need not necessarily be your parents any usc who makes above poverty line will do
good luck buddy i wish u best of luck for future n always :thumbs:


I don't think Love should have barriers, but I do think it should not be taken lightly. Love and marriage requires patience and understanding and a committment to keeping each other financially stable on some level. I think the writer is committed to this, or he wouldn't be goign to school. But to have a woman sell her parents house to afford a plane ticket? That seems to me to be...well, not right. Either way...it's ok to have love take some time. Yes I want my SO here and here now, but....as he says, Honey we are not kids, we can wait the time this will take. If your relationship can not endure a year or two wait, then...how will it endure other things that normally happen, or not normally happen. The same skill set is required to push past the hard times, the lonely times.
Bobbie
BobbieFemaleGermany2007-04-09 00:21:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAre we too poor to be in love?

basically, you need to have someone to joint sponsor your fiance. this joint sponsor does not have to be your parents or someone living with you, but it could be anyone (U.S. Citizens) as long as they make 125% over the poverty line and willing to sponsor your fiance.
for example you can ask any relatives that you have or any friends of the family.
good luck buddy


Thanks Hanster, I've thought about it.
I'm mostly just stressing because we have to show when we are going to get married, and prove that she intends to come right? She doesn't want a traditional wedding, just a Justice of the Peace, and that's fine but, we can't really arrange when we can get married until we know when she can get here... and we can't know when she can get here until the visa is accepted, and then she has to sell her house...


You know, I know this sounds hard, but you are young. Remember this is a life time. Even though we get anxious to have our loved ones with us, we all must wait. For you however, you must also say, how will I feed this woman, and clothe this woman and will she want to live in my parents basement too? You don't have that far to go before you will be able to afford everything and do just fine as a starting out couple. I know it sounds hard, but the time it takes to get a visa is ok, just that much closer you will be to your goals of working to take care of the woman you love. Is she going to sell the house her parents live in? That is really harsh. Maybe you can work some extra job so you can afford the plane ticket. The visa journey is not free, with all of the application fees and such. Don't give up hope, and don't be distracted. But do understand it is a committment to get married, and the same as this process, it is a committment. Like your marriage, it will be hard at times, and you make your mind up, you will get past the issues, and move forward. But don't be miserable so quickly, there is plenty of time for that. I met my fiance online in 2004. We have spoken daily since about march of 2005. I think we will be lucky if he gets here in 2007. If he cant? We will either wait, or I will move there. So.....smile, you have found the love of your life, but practice patience. It is a virtue. Virtues are important.
Bobbie
BobbieFemaleGermany2007-04-08 23:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhat Happens Next

I recently lost my bag with all my documents in them and now I don't have any copies of my application. Is this going to be a problem? Does anyone know what I should do?



20 Days???? wow, congratulations. I have the feeling you have no realization how lucky you are. (making the sign of the cross, go in peace)
BobbieFemaleGermany2007-04-18 23:36:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresVSC lose my petition, now I have to refile.

Well, my everlasting journey has progressed again!

Originally they called to say they could reissue us, then called again to say they'd changed their mind as mentioned in my original post, and then again to say "Well, wait, maybe it's in Harrisburg?"

So, we waited another two weeks without hearing anything, and then last night my fiancee emailed me to let me know they have rediscovered my file, it's _at_ VSC and the supervisor is investigating, and once she's finished it'll be sent to the NVC (by friday!) where upon arrival our local senators office will request it's immediately expedited to try and help us make the time back!

So good news! :)

Does anyone know if that expedite request makes it all the way to the consulate in London and bumps me up the interview priority?



OOOo so someone laid it down while they were picking out a jelly doughnut (probably a cherry one that was real drippy with lots of iceing, in the mean time someone else laid their paper work on top of it, then picked it all back up (the paper work was actually the racing forms from the track) then they tossed it into their desk while they worked on the files for the day, forgot about the racing form, cause they werent really going to the track, they were just curious, then had a free afternoon and decided to clean the desk a bit, and VOla, there is the file.....

All over a cherry filled doughnut. Actually, I am sure they feel really really rotten about this. and I bet they take extra care to push your things up. And, they told you the truth, and didnt say..oh its still lost. Gotta give them credit for that. I am sure this is a stressful job they have.
Congratulations!!

Bobbie
BobbieFemaleGermany2007-04-11 00:30:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresVSC lose my petition, now I have to refile.

Hmmmm .. if it has already been approved and sent onto the NVC, I would not think it would need to be re-adjudicated. It sounds like they only need the actual paperwork (they may check it over to be sure it is complete) to send on down the chain. I would be interested in how fast this actually goes thru VSC and on to NVC again ... and hopefully they won't loose it again.

Fair only happens here in Maryland during the last two weeks of August :lol:


What I find interesting is that these large files we send in, aren't scanned and kept in the computer so they can be easily transmitted from each agency to the other one. To me, this is part of the problem of inefficiantcy. Also, they shoudl have lower paid staff who go through each file and check if the docs are there (maybe they do this already). IF it is Ok, it goes to the que. IF not, it gets an RFE. Then they shoudl have Jr. staff who check the easy cases, and Sr. who go for the harder cases. I think a good business analyst should help the us govt on this.

Additionally I have looked but found no reason for the lopsidedness of Vemont getting so fewer of files then California. It appears to me if I am goign to get a job in the USCIS, apply to vermont, a much easier job then a California worker.

these are things we find in small business that we can not see..but someone looking from the outside in can see. We all need a business consultant, and the US govt is not different in this way.
Bobbie
BobbieFemaleGermany2007-03-31 00:18:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresquestion about meeting

I just got a RFE because they say that i need to show more evidence of meeting within the last two years. I have met him within the time. My problem is that on the letter it says proof for meeting from two years before Nov. 29 2006. I went to albania to visit in december 06. will they still take it? i mean i had met him about a year and a half before he went back to albania, but i dont really have proof, other than pics that i already sent them.
i also have a ATM statement with my credit card from an albanian bank, and the passport stamp, but its from december, not November 29th,06.
Other than that like i said, i only have pic from Cedar point and stuff like christmas 06.


How did you meet him, was he in the USA? If so, did you have friends in common who can write a letter. Was he in school, or some other place that you were at also,....Bill and I both attended the university (see our schedules with the register attatched)...but the picctures you do have and the things you sent to him, get it back. Get what they ask for, this is the only way.
Bobbie
BobbieFemaleGermany2007-04-21 23:52:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresMy SO and her son.

I think you are both right. I'll have her bring him with her. It sounds much easier and iI do want to make her happy.

Thanks for the help and the "Kick in the pants", I do want them both here.



Good for you. No offense, but for some of us singles moms, this is why we didn't marry until our children were...in their 20's. It is really hard to blend a family and for many of us, it was so hard to try and keep everyone in an order. The child felt they should come first and behaved that way, the new boyfriend felt he needed to come first and behaved that way, and the woman...just ran around trying to fix it all. If you take a step back, and let the kid take his time to adjust....and make him/her feel safe...you will see you get so much more time and all that you want. You just have to wait a bit. Good for you to not try and make the woman put everyone where they belong. It's hard to explain...but many women will stay single for 20 years instead of trying to get everyone feeling happy and comfortable and her in the middle of it all.
Bobbie
BobbieFemaleGermany2007-04-22 21:14:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDenials

Sarasota. You??



Pinellas Park. I am in the mortgage business...and it's wayy down. I am also in business with my SO, but it is a just under 2 year venture so while it is doing good, it is not supporting both of us fully.
BobbieFemaleGermany2007-04-22 22:59:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDenials

Russia is alot cheaper then Germany my friend. My girl pays about 150 bucks for a nice 1 bedroom apartment. Food is pretty cheap as well as everything else. I would prefer her to come to me but I am not going to worry anymore. If for some reason they say no I will sell all my stuff, buy a beater of a car and leave it at my moms. Come back for a month if i need money. Once I learn Russian I wont have to do it but it is a nice fall back for some quick $$$.

No country, no service center, no embassy, no consul (with a god-like complex) will stop me from being with my Irina!!!!!!!! I will be with my Russian Queen May 31 to Aug 31!! Hopefully I will be there for the interview!! It will be close!! Might skip to Ukraine to get a 1 month visa if necessary!!!

I wonder if i can get a job at the CSC and approve my own K-1??? They would probably fire me because I am too quick and efficient.


LOL yes...probably would. As a flaming, liberal, feminist capitalist I hate to utter these words..but..cough cough...privitization.....

employees act scared and work fast, like a good employee should. LOL...kidding kidding....again..maybe looking for work LOL.
BobbieFemaleGermany2007-04-22 22:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDenials

I am alittle worried becasue we tried for a B2 tourist visa in 2/07. We put off our engagement because she wanted to see USA before she left all behind. I told her to check no for "fiance in usa" becasue we were not technically engaged. She was denied tourist visa. We decided to go ahead with 129f so i sent the visa application with january dates(when i visited her in jan we filled out 129f). I hope the embassy doesnt think she lied. I emailed the moscow embassy explaining myself and they suggested i send a "letter of explanantion" with my fiance to interview.

To be honest, I am just plain tired of all this visa ****. All the worrying. Does anyone know why it takes 100 days to approve a 3 page petiton and to look at some pictures and emais. I could do 100 k-1's a day!! It is sooooooooo stupid. Hey USCIS, dont send my K-1 from Texas to California where they are already jammed up. Send it to Vermont where they are counting ceiling tiles. IDIOTS!!!

Anyway, I feel better now!! I am prepared to move to Russia if necessary so I dont worry anymore. Fortunately I can work for 6 weeks in the USA and live for a year in Russia. I kind of like the thought of living in Vladimir, Russia! It is a beautiful and crime free little city!!! Its awesome!!


Can I come work for you? I feel the same way, tired tired tired of this long wait. And, at the end, you just dont know. Seriously, I think I need job.
bobbie
BobbieFemaleGermany2007-04-22 22:29:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPutting lot of yellow post-its?
Hmmmm
I highlighted with Yellow on copies, and then I also "wrote" on the copy.....Here is a picture of me and klaus' mom, sister and dad, the date on the picture is wrong,t he camera was wrong.

Here is me and Klaus


Here is a picture of the dome, we went to see it but could not see his sister, she was leaving for a trip that day, but she lives in koln.

LOL

I will probably get RFEd all over the place.
BobbieFemaleGermany2007-04-23 22:54:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresEvidence Photos

Just FYI, I got an RFE requesting more evidence of our relationship. In the RFE it stated that only film dated photographs were considered as secondary evidence. However, I have not ran into anyone else with this problem??? Just a heads up.



On some of the "film" dates, it was wrong.....lol cant wait to see my RFE's
BobbieFemaleGermany2007-04-24 22:53:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresam I the only one

As I fill out the G-325A I am baffled at how.... or why they would leave so little room to write the answers. I have seen people who can write very small but this seems less about getting information and more about testing ones ability to squeeze names dates cities and countries in places big enough for only one of them.

I guess I could write all this stuff on an attachment sheet of paper but It would make a lot more sense to design a form big enough.

Ever notice when the Govt "wants to" it has no problem giving you ample room to fill in the blanks such as the IRS forms or and Arrest data sheet. (so I have been told :) :)
:innocent:

Yes...you're the only one...the rest of us find US Government issued forms to be both fun and easy to understand... :whistle:

:lol: :yes: :no:
BobbieFemaleGermany2007-05-01 18:19:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTo everyone who havent recieved an RFE

You could start by reading the HUGE PINNED THREAD at the top of this forum . . . .


:thumbs:
BobbieFemaleGermany2007-05-01 18:17:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHow to get a waiver on clause 18 of form I-129F
:whistle:
BobbieFemaleGermany2007-05-09 23:19:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedurestraffic warrants
I also thought that now with Big Brothers Super Computer, each state can see suspensions on the other state, or traffic problems, and cause you to pay fines or clean those things up. I am suprised you have not had a problem getting a license, or mabye you will when you go to renew.
Bobbie
BobbieFemaleGermany2007-05-15 22:49:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI want this to be over soo soon

I think the ones who don't fight are strange. Even my parents fight and they have been married over 35 years. Your fighting won't stop because you're together. And fighting with someone doesn't mean you don't love them. It means you do love them. Think about how many times you have fought with siblings, parents, friends.

With all due respect, I'm confused by what you've written. People who don't fight are strange ?????

People have disagreements, even argue, but I wouldn't equate that with "fighting." My defn of a fight: yelling, screaming, saying hurtful things, tears ... and everyone involved feels like ####### in the end.

My parents were married 53 years and didn't fight (like that). They disagreed and they argued, but they didn't say angry, hurtful things to each other despite the frustration and ire they felt at the moment.

MS and I don't 'fight' like that either. I wouldn't be in a relationship where I say awful things to him and he to me. No friggin' way. MS and I get frustrated(!!) and we don't hesitate to argue a point back and forth. But both of us have our eye on something bigger: the relationship. We've talked often about a number of sensitive subjects. We don't always agree - far from it. But we know what matters to the other person and try to hold that in account when reaching a decision.

What has struck me about the K-1 process so far is that MS and I have talked about a range of topics and seldom discuss the visa. CSC makes that really easy. Anything this week? Nope. K. We talk about everything else - what's going on at work this week? Did you go cycling this weekend? I colored my hair purple. WHAT? Just kidding. He teases me mercilessly and makes me laugh. We like each other and that has probably been our saving grace!

So, he and I don't fight. We get frustrated, annoyed, impatient, and po'd ... but we think too much of each other to attack. Neither one of us would put up with that. Goes to show how different people's experiences are. "I think the ones who don't fight are strange."


I think maybe it is semantics, fight, disagree. But, I do agree with you. I know this is the love of my life, and I want to be with him forever, so I have taken special care to never let hurtful words (cut you to the core words) slip over my lips, and he has done the same. Whe we are very very frustrated and you can see that you could have a blow out, we back off and say...ok baby, it is time for me to do something else, or take a break or whatever, talk to you later...and we both know that in a week or so we will finish the conversation and that's that. We have really decided to be committed and to not allow ourselves get to a place where we bicker or nag or whatever. Not that it doesnt happen now and then, but we back off right away when we see it happening. We had a long conversation in the beginning, neither of us wanted the relationship we had in the past, so...we commit to doing things differently. We dont talk about the visa much either, and as I have said in my other posts, he and I actually have a business together, so we are together on the email/messenger alot, too much LOL...so for us....we need breaks (days) apart.

I think working to keep your Sunday manners on for as long as you can, goes a long long way.
Bobbie
BobbieFemaleGermany2007-05-15 22:45:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhat if we can't meet financial requirements?
I think everyone here has given the poster very good advice. To the woman who was so rude, I really think that was uncalled for. I think if people would disagree with out making it personal, they would probably get along better. It is the fair rules of fighting, and it works great in a relationship too.

Anyway, beyond that. Poster, if when people give you advice on what to do, if you can only think of why it can't be done, then deep down in your heart, you may not be ready for this.

I know we will be tight on our budget also ( it will help when the last 2 years taxes are done and I see if I made any money), I apply for jobs...and I will take one if I really need to. WE will get along fine, we support 2 households now, one will be duck soup. But if I need another job, it will happen. Lickety split.

Do what people are giving you advice about.If you are in love with this man, it isnt just for today, or tomorrow, but forever. The situations we make in life are for us, forever. So, we get to choose what situation we want. I used to have a very very hard time in life, single mom, no eduction, no skills low pay, low wage.....

One day, thats it, NO MORE. I went to college, I worked the entire time (and starved)....and then I did what it took to be employed. And, when my state no longer provided me decent opportunites, I moved across the entire country, with no friends, no family, nothing. But, I knew I could get a good job. 10 years later...Im still here, make good money when I work (ok its only been about 2 years I am commissioned/self employed)....but I can turn things around on a dime when ever I need it.

I have a multitude of skills.....only because I spend hours and hours and hours learing. You have the internet, this is a wonderful thing, expecially to people living in rural areas. YOU can do this. YOU can make the life you want, you dream about.....

Many people will choose to complain and wish it was easier....but Y OU can decide to become BIGGER than the problem.....

Good Luck, with all my heart good luck....but dont sit to long.....life goes on and YOU need to go on also!
Life is a fantastic journey...there is beauty in struggle. Friction produces diamonds, ...have you had enough platitudes?

When you think you must quit, sit a while, rest if you must but dont quit!
BobbieFemaleGermany2007-05-18 20:08:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresBad credit question

How about an unpaid parking ticket ? (USC)


I would advise getting that paid. It can be possible that unpaid parking tickets escallate into a want or warrant for you; which could eventually cause some issues.



Have'nt ever heard of anybody in the U.S. ever having a warrant issued for unpaid parking tickets. Worst that might happen is they impound/boot your vehicle if they run across it. Still a good idea to get it taken care of.


My best friend, who was 60 at the time, got hauled off to jail one day for unpaid parking tickets that her kids had!
Did they get an earful.
BobbieFemaleGermany2007-05-21 23:31:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresoverseas K1 filing

Thats what we thought ( and were initially told)... but the Army legal office said they "accepted" K1 Visas for processing. I'm still skeptical myself until I actually see it...but there is a HUGE American military presence in Germany so maybe the Consulate processes the K1's as a courtesey.... At least I hope they do.


You need to make sure you are using the correct terminology.... K-1's are processed in Germany.. that is a fact...

What you need to ask is do the adjudicate/process I-129F petitions?

Oh thanks! Maybe I should look into that... :thumbs:
darkhorseNot TellingNetherlands2007-04-29 14:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresoverseas K1 filing

Well I spoke with the Air Force Legal Office on Wednesday. They didnt really offer any help... so I called the Army Legal Office and I eventually got in touch with a lady there that said "Sure they process K1's from Germany" She said they do it all the time... so now back to the U.S. Consulate in Frankfurt.

But were taking a short vacation so it will be a while before we find out anything.


Right - after the I-129F petition has been filed in the US and approved in the US, the US consulate in Frankfurt "processes K1s". The process is they send out the necessary packets of information, they receive the returned information from the petitioner and beneficiary, they interview and they issues visas.

All of that is AFTER the I-129F petition is processed in the US.



Thats what we thought ( and were initially told)... but the Army legal office said they "accepted" K1 Visas for processing. I'm still skeptical myself until I actually see it...but there is a HUGE American military presence in Germany so maybe the Consulate processes the K1's as a courtesey.... At least I hope they do.
darkhorseNot TellingNetherlands2007-04-28 18:12:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresoverseas K1 filing
Well I spoke with the Air Force Legal Office on Wednesday. They didnt really offer any help... so I called the Army Legal Office and I eventually got in touch with a lady there that said "Sure they process K1's from Germany" She said they do it all the time... so now back to the U.S. Consulate in Frankfurt.

But were taking a short vacation so it will be a while before we find out anything.
darkhorseNot TellingNetherlands2007-04-28 16:50:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresoverseas K1 filing

Right. Well, you do your thing your way making the calls to the people you think will help and I wish you the best of luck with all of it.


:thumbs:

Esp since you cannot PHYSICALLY TALK TO ANY SERVICE CENTER. Nice one, darkhorse. Good job on the research. Maybe you can call the INS? :whistle:



Well since you really had no actual advice to offer ... Here's what I might do... call my CONGRESSMAN! Yep, not only do I pay taxes, I VOTE.


Tell me again why you bothered posting? Are you really that bored? Why waste your time? Better yet, why waste my time?
darkhorseNot TellingNetherlands2007-04-24 19:14:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresoverseas K1 filing

Right. Well, you do your thing your way making the calls to the people you think will help and I wish you the best of luck with all of it.



Yeah, I'll do that... but thanks for all YOUR "help" along the way.

toodles
darkhorseNot TellingNetherlands2007-04-24 18:58:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresoverseas K1 filing

I don't know if this will help you at all, or not.
I am applying for a K-1 for my fiance while I (USC) am living overseas. I am serving in the US Peace Corps. I have to keep a formal, physical 'Home of Record' back in the states. I use my sisters address.
When I filed the form, I stated that address was my residence but also included information about living overseas. I sent the form to the USCIS office governing that state (Vermont) I did not have any problems at that stage and received an approval.
Since I don't know exactly what all the information you put down was....I don't know if you did it the same or not.
Good Luck in re-filing.
Sue



BINGO!
I think that might be my best course of action. My home of record is Louisiana so maybe I will try it that way... Im just worried about losing another month if something goes wrong... I guess the USCIS doesnt have much leaway for expatriates.
darkhorseNot TellingNetherlands2007-04-24 18:49:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresoverseas K1 filing

How about getting married and do a DCF or CR1 filing?


We have considered this and we know it would be the "easiest" method. I've lived many of my years overseas and can say, getting married just to make the process easier can have long term consequences.... enough said.


Um, so, you need the K1 processing time to decide for reals if you want to get married? I think some people around here might have an issue with that, since we're all in a long line behind other filers and if those people are kinda just doing it while they take their time to get to know each other . . . not efficient. You say "easiest" like it's a bad thing. You want to get married right? So what you're saying is that getting married in order to, uh, get married is not a good idea? I think you should wait on the K1 process entirely until you know what you want.


As for the Frankfurt comment - You don't understand the process yet. And as for Frankfurt processing K1s - that doesn't necessarily help you since what you're concerned about at this point is the I-129F which is the portal document that gets your finacee to the K1 forms themselves - that second part of the process is ALWAYS handled at the embassies abroad.

But the first and best advice to offer is for you to calm down and not leap to take the heads off people who offer help because you asked questions here on a public message board. No one offended you or got snippy until you tried to rip meauxna a new one because you misunderstood what she posted. You keep making these big worded stands on issues, but no one is fighting with you, we're just pointing out that, unlike most of us, you have access to a process that we would sever valuable body parts to use. And you're with your loved one right now right? Try to pause and consider the audience here before you go off the deep end.


OK, so we will continue...

Lets just say I have my personal reasons for filing the K1... Which was my orignal question.

Yep, FF already said we cant file the I-129F but I thought we would call them anyway...
Please dont ask me to calm down. I will respond as I see fit and I dont feel I was taking anyones heads who responds cordially. And please dont tell me no one offended me. I think that is for me alone to decide. And dont tell me I misunderstood someones comments. I can read very well and my comprehension level is quite good. So maybe I didnt misundertand...maybe she mis-spoke.

I have paused and considered the audience and I feel for all of you for having to deal with this process. So please dont get upset with me for getting upset with the INS (yeah, Im going to keep calling them that for now)
darkhorseNot TellingNetherlands2007-04-24 18:45:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresoverseas K1 filing

By the way...how much longer do you anticipate being stationed there (or overseas)?


We're looking at about 6 months left here in Germany.
darkhorseNot TellingNetherlands2007-04-24 18:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresoverseas K1 filing

Frankfurt handles the Consulate part of the process (ie.. the interview and visa issuance) this is after the USCIS does there adjudication of the prerequisite I-129F petition. So if you are looking to file the petition with Frankfurt, the reply you will receive is NO we don't do that, because that is a fact. Your only option is to file the petition with the appropriate USCIS service center.

The instructions to the I-129F clearly indicate that if you live outside the United States, mail your petition to USCIS Service Center listed above that has jurisdiction over the last place you lived in the United States. NOTE: Your petition cannot be adjudicated at a USCIS office abroad.

We also have heard anectdotal evidence that the USCIS appears to only like US physical domiciles and not foreign or PO Boxes (including APO& FPO addresses)



Thanks partner,
but- darn... now we're back to square one. We did in fact send it to the US Service Center having jurisdiciton over my last residence. They are the ones whos returned it saying since I live overseas, I have to apply overseas... which as you pointed out, wont happen. Talk about a catch 22!

I can understand the anecdotal evidence of not accepting APO box addresses but I think I have a good cause to fight it, if this is the reason for denial. In fact, the application asks if you are a U.S. servicemember serving overseas so I refuse to believe this is uncharted territory for them.

My biggest issue right now is actually being able to contact someone from a service center that processes I-129F's. After talking to the USCIS free number today (not free from Germany) and realizing they could not help me, they made it sound like it was a cardinal sin to ask for anyone other than them....who could not help me.
darkhorseNot TellingNetherlands2007-04-24 18:23:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresoverseas K1 filing

Darkhorse,

Dude.. check it at the door... people, out of the goodness of their heart, are trying to offer you some sense of direction. I can't disagree with your opinion of the people on the phones..there are examples of bad/mis-information dolled out by them here every day.. But I can tell you this much, you've been given some good advice above - by some who are probably more qualified to do so than you can imagine...

You asked a question: "Does anyone have any advice on where we should go next?" and got some really good answers. Of course you don't have to take it - but to direct your frustration at people who offer you thier experince and advice is just wrong.

You're right - chances are you're not the only GI to get married in Germany - that's actually probably the main reason K1s are handeled in Frankfurt only - closer to you guys... The whole process sucks - it's a matter of which one sucks the most... We'd all like to change it...

It's named Visa Journey for a reason...

Good luck.. we're all here to help each other not attack one another...

p.s.
Thanks for service our country :thumbs:


sorry guys... I wasnt directing my frustration at anyone in particular.... however, from the way I read "some" of the responses, there were some demeaning and offensive comments so I replied in kind.
As I said before, Im not about turning down advice...but I get really ticked by patronizing comments.

Your advice is the best I've heard yet. I didnt know Frankfurt handled K1's. we called them today and they said they didnt but I will try again tomorrow.
Again, thank you and I appreciate your comments.
darkhorseNot TellingNetherlands2007-04-24 17:56:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresoverseas K1 filing

Wow, are you picky. What a lack of respect for the gov't you work for - you can't even call agencies by their correct names. And you threaten doing this all illegally? That is a clear violation of TOS & will not be tolerated here. Might make your govermental job/pension a bit difficult though...

As far as filing from overseas, there's a button called 'search'. Might I suggest using it.



Picky? We have MILLIONS of illegal immigrants. I pay taxes and am trying to do it Legally. I dont think its too much to ask to get a person on the phone who can answer a question.

Lack of respect for the government I work for? Oh please... dont even go there. You dont have the slightest idea of where Ive been, What I've done and what I've sacrificed to protect this government.


I can call agencies by their correct name.. I simply refered to the agency I originaly dealt with (US Immigration and Naturalization Service...Look it up.)

What are you talking about me doing things illegally? I think I'm trying to do it morally and legally correct! Please dont lecture me when you have no idea what you're talking about.

Oh and we did the search feature and didnt find what we were looking for... if you can find it, please post a link and we will be very thankful.

to all others... sorry to sound so defensive but I feel like I was attacked from the very beginning...
darkhorseNot TellingNetherlands2007-04-24 17:46:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresoverseas K1 filing

How about getting married and do a DCF or CR1 filing?


We have considered this and we know it would be the "easiest" method. I've lived many of my years overseas and can say, getting married just to make the process easier can have long term consequences.... enough said.
darkhorseNot TellingNetherlands2007-04-24 17:35:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresoverseas K1 filing

darkhorse,

Does your base have any legal staff?

Yodrak


Yes, they do have a legal office and I plan on engaging them this week. Maybe I will get a straight answer (keeping my fingers crossed)
darkhorseNot TellingNetherlands2007-04-24 17:29:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresoverseas K1 filing

(p.s. as I reread your response to the helpful info meauxna gave you, I can't help but think you don't get it at all. For one thing, there's no INS anymore and there hasn't been for a few years now. It's ICE. And for your purposes, USCIS is the acronym you should be using. But more importantly, no one is telling you to "make it expeditious for the INCOMPETENT INS" - they're telling you to make it expeditious FOR YOU AND YOUR FIANCEE!!!!!)


I do appreciate your response, advice and acknowledgment of US servicemembers, however, I'm no stranger to verbal sparring so...

meauxna did try to be helpful but not in a helpful manner.

As Shakespere once said... What's in a Name? I, as most people, am aware the INS has morphed into the USCIS.... FYI, the War Department is now called the Department of Defense!

I do "get it" when it comes to governmental functions. I deal with it on a daily basis and have done so for the past 18 years. In fact, I've dealt with INS and USCIS repeatedly for the past 7 years or so.

I do know the timelines for a K1. That is why I'm pissed I got jerked around by the USCIS. I have lost over a month for them to simply tell me to "refile" what I have already filed.

Now I know why we have so many illegal immgrants in the US.... It's EASIER and more efficient than doing it the "LEGAL" way.

The idealistic side of me wants to fight the good fight and make USCIS do what is right... the realistic side of me knows thats a long drawn out process....especially when dealing with the caliber of people I've dealt with.

And I guess I should re-phrase my original request... does anyone have experience with filing an I-129F from overseas? particulary GERMANY.
darkhorseNot TellingNetherlands2007-04-24 17:23:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresoverseas K1 filing

Im not trying to turn down any help in this matter but clearly it seems you're trying to give advice which you are not qualified to give....



OK, sounds like you know how it is supposed to be done.
Good luck with all that!
:)



Dont need luck...need facts.

but thanks for your input.
darkhorseNot TellingNetherlands2007-04-24 16:56:00